Republican Secretary of State Beth Chapman says she plans to resign Aug. 1 and enter private business with 17 months left in her term.
Chapman tells The Associated Press she has an offer in government and public relations consulting that she can't pass up, and she will end her decade in public office to take the position. She has not released details of the new job, but she said it doesn't involve lobbying.
A few months ago, Chapman was being talked about as a possible candidate for governor. But she said she is pleased with Republican Gov. Robert Bentley and would not run against him. Bentley will appoint someone to finish her term.